First prize: “Apechugando,” by Eileen Contreras Cerdeña, 2018 grantee, LAC Program

Esta foto es parte del proyecto de Eileen, beneficiaria de MMEG,  “Mi nueva yo” Autorretrato fotográfico con mujeres en

situación de violencia, que buscó abrir espacios de encuentro donde las mujeres puedan verse desde una nueva mirada, libre de violencias vividas que las tuvo detrás de sombras.

A través de su proceso artístico, la protagonista de la foto, Hilda, descubrió que su maternidad es parte de quien es ahora, pero será la maternidad que ella decida, haciendo frente a las críticas de ser una “buena madre.”

 En palabras de Hilda:

“Disfrutando mi maternidad, pero con firmeza

Ya no me derrumba cosas que pasan a mi alrededor

Unos días lloro, pero de ahí me limpio mis lágrimas y sigo hacia adelante

Estoy aprendiendo a brillar para mí misma ya no para otras personas

Pero aún me falta descubrirme a mí misma como mamá y como persona

Disfruto mucho con mis hijos

Aun llorando, pero sigo riendo a carcajadas y sorprendiéndome de mi misma

A mi alrededor se quedan mirándome, asustados…”

Descubre más del proyecto en nuestras redes sociales:

https://www.instagram.com/minuevayo.autorretrato/

This photo is part of MMEG grantee Eileen’s project, “Mi nueva yo” (The New Me): Self-portrait Photography of Women Experiencing Violence,” which seeks to establish spaces where women can view themselves from a new perspective, free of the experience of violence that put them in the shadows.

Through her artistic process, the subject of the photo, Hilda, discovered that while motherhood is part of her identity, it is a motherhood where she makes the decisions while facing the pressures to be a “good mother.”

In Hilda’s own words:

"Enjoying my motherhood, but with firmness

I no longer crumble due to what surrounds me

Some days I cry, but then I wipe my tears and move forward

I am learning to shine for myself and not for others

But I still need to discover myself as a mom and as a person

I enjoy a lot my time with my children

Still crying, but I am laughing out loud and surprising myself

Around me they stare at me, scared..."

Find out more about Eileen’s project on social media:  

https://www.instagram.com/minuevayo.autorretrato/

Second prize: “Hands that heal the earth,” by Miranda Mpeta, 2025 grantee, South Africa Program

In this photo, Miranda, a chemical and environmental engineer, collects soil samples at a former mining site in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, and analyzes whether restoration efforts have successfully transformed contaminated land back to productive use. Through careful fieldwork, measuring contamination levels and monitoring ecosystem recovery, she ensures the site meets safety standards for future generations.

Miranda’s work demonstrates women’s expanding leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries like mining, engineering, and environmental remediation—using scientific expertise to heal industrial damage while advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 12, and 15.

Third prize: “A motivational visit to Bababa Secondary School,” by Rialivhuwa Tertia Netshithothole, 2025 grantee, South Africa Program

At Bababa Secondary School in Haluvhimbi village, Limpopo Province, South Africa, Rialivhuwa spoke to 120 female students about the advantages of completing secondary school, including access to higher education, increased employment opportunities, and personal development. Educated girls are more likely to break the cycle of poverty and avoid early marriage, leading to improved health and social outcomes.

One factor hindering female students’ regular school attendance is a lack of menstrual products. In this photo, students express their gratitude to the photographer for her donation of sanitary napkins.